[Blood Fang — (+6 Strength, +6 Dexterity)]
Grade: Low | Type: Growth
Growth Stage: 1 | Growth Limit: 5
Experience: 0/1,000
Durability: 31/31
"Good job, Vulcan. Ivy will like it," Nate stated reluctantly after checking the new stats.
He regretted his words and wished to keep the sword for himself.
But he wasn't the type to go back on his words, especially at the moment.
Four strength and six dexterity were a small addition, but the weapon's type was most important.
Growth types were rare because there was no set option to pull them out.
It felt like a gacha pull. You either get it through luck or never get it at all.
The weapon's stats would rise along the level, and if the wielder is lucky, they would get a rare skill.
Although those skills would be bound to the weapon and only used by it, it was a great addition nonetheless.
'The armors will be able to fill the missing pieces,' he thought.
It was a good upgrade overall, even if the materials used weren't of a high level.
'They fulfill their purposes prefect,' Nate nodded before continuing to upgrade the rest.
These were temporary weapons; investing more in them was far out of the question.
Alice's staff upgrade formed two intertwining thorns around the orb like snakes. The thorns connected at the end, forming a long, sharp spike.
'Seven extra spirit, four strength. Not bad,' Nate assessed. That much would make a difference in a full-out skirmish.
The remaining weapons were the same, mostly upgraded by scales and attribute gems.
'It's about time I get myself something decent,' Nate thought, thinking of the various possibilities.
'I guess daggers would be the best for Wither, but fuck. The limitations are annoying.'
A weapon's size dictated how many gems it could take, and daggers sustained a maximum of two at all times.
'A sword? An axe? But we don't have many resources,' Nate debated.
He knew creating something brand new always cost more, which made it worse.
'Go for two daggers and drop the shield completely? Too risky.'
"Vulcan, are you able to dismantle this shield?" Nate asked, revealing his newbie shield.
It was mostly something possible for high-level blacksmiths, but Vulcan's race was advanced after all.
Vulcan answered, "Affirmative. Extract rate is 45%!"
Nate held his chin tightly.
'What's the point? This is risky,' he nodded. 'A waste of time.'
'Removing the shield's vitality boost just to get an equal boost in offense? No, I'd be just circling back to the start,' Nate shook his head disapprovingly.
'But if I hold my patience a little longer and wait. It's better to invest once, not twice,' he decided, choosing to delay his weapon for later.
His summons could act in his stead.
"Thanks, Vulcan. We continue later," Nate said, then collected the remaining materials before storing them.
Shul smiled, helping Nate carry the weapons back before returning each to its respective owner.
"Let us march forward, comrades!' Nate said, sounding weird again.
Arthur grumbled; he was used to it by now, but it was too random for their convenience.
"Please... Stop talking like that." He couldn't hold himself anymore, it became bothersome. "You sound like an old man."
"Oh?" Nate stood frozen.
Arthur's words hit harder than normal because he was right.
Nate had been mimicking Mundus all the time, thinking it gave him presence. Power.
He thought he was mysterious, but in reality, it made him look like a joke.
A clown.
'Well... I'm a human after all. No matter how much I try, I won't reach his level of horror,' Nate thought, struck by the realization.
'No point trying to act like someone I'm not. Better be myself,' he nodded.
He smiled, appreciating Arthur's honesty.
"You are right. I will stop now," he said, letting the sweat illusion crumble.
The moment passed slowly, the tension slipping off Nate's shoulders.
'No more pretending,' Nate thought, releasing a quiet, heavy breath.
He picked up the sword, handing it over to Ivy. "Alright. Let's move," he said, his voice steadier than ever.
Arthur gave a short nod, and the party continued their hunt.
Nate had changed a bit, shedding his facade.
Ivy followed with vigor, with a single thought in mind. 'I must surpass my sister now.'
Oliver was too fond of his upgraded bow to sense what was happening around him.
"How about we hunt some high-level monsters? Your summons are less occupied now," Arthus suggested, nudging Nate.
He was meant to be the party's leader, but the one in charge was Nate.
So the best Arthur could do was provide tactical support.
"I agree, more levels equal more items!" Ivy shouted, raising the party's morale.
Alice sneered. "Damn, didn't you want to leave a few hours ago?"
She couldn't believe her sister's sudden change.
'Not a bad idea, but if my summons assist, then it's a waste of opportunity," Nate thought, having something else on mind.
He nodded, "I agree, but let's put some thrilling rules."
They needed experience, and he believed his idea would suffice.
"The four of you will cooperate with one of my summons, the rest won't assist," he continued.
"That's some risky business, Nate," Oliver answered awkwardly.
Nate grinned, "I won't be by your side every time, you gotta depend on yourself."
He abhorred being a babysitter.
"I'm willing to give it a try, but we must start with a normal monster instead," Ivy answered, believing a trial run was better than diving into action blindly.
Nate nodded, saying, "As long as it serves as a challenge."
He didn't want them to pick a defenseless, harmless monster.
Nate's summons stood in a line while the party inspected them. None other than Nate could see their levels, so it was a tricky selection.
Finally, they settled on three options to pick from. Either Vulcan, the Wyrm, or Hobo.
They debated against each other, using their notes as evidence to support their opinions.
Vulcan's hammer and size were great offenses; Hobo had the fireballs, and the Wyrm retained an impressive, long, defensive form.
In the end, they settled on Vulcan because he could communicate with them.
They knew Hobo could understand, but they didn't plan on hearing any of his gibberish.
"We want the golem, is that alright?" Arthur asked.
Since Nate was inactive, he became the leader.
Nate shrugged his shoulders. "Sure, ask him. He's called Vulcan."
He could easily force Vulcan to comply, but curiosity spoke otherwise.
'How would Vulcan interact with them? Let's hope it's entering,' he thought, smiling faintly.
Arthur stepped forward, looking up to Vulcan, saying, "Sir Vulcan... We humbly request your assistance."
"Affrimative. Provide the upgrade materials."
Vulcan's response was strange, but it made them understand that he was a Blacksmith.
Not a combat-leaning class, but a decent one nonetheless.
"Please, Sir Vulcan. We require a different kind of assistance," Arthur grumbled, feeling embarrassed by the response.
Silence regioned.
Vulcan's lips parted then closed without a sound. He twisted his neck to the side, glancing at Nate.
"The choice is yours. Do whatever you want," Nate smiled.
He didn't wish to influence Vulcan at all.
Vulcan nodded, saying, "Does it involve demon scum?"